In short: I wouldn't call it a beginner-friendly race...In full: As an official plodder, my only goal was to finish without walking, which I did. I gave my estimated time before the race as 90 minutes, and that is pretty much where I came in! But for all the talk of this being beginner-friendly, I was VERY near the back of the race, barely anyone behind me, no one walking and felt pretty dejected at the whole experience. The marshals were lovely but traffic was opened up before I was hardly halfway around, which made me feel very rushed and as if my slowness was getting in the way. I did, however, get offered water at the abbey, and I take it that others missed this? No water at the finish though. Agree with others about the sad toilet situation. In summary, I would not recommend this race to beginners unless you are already pretty fast and pretty fit, or not easily intimidated!Date of review: December 1, 2006

In short: We had a lovely time but . . . In full: My sister and I were doing this as it was local to her and we fancied doing a race together. No pretensions to PBs or anything. A bit crowded at the start but we were at the back so it didn't matter. It's a fast course, the weather was perfect and it was great to have the Abbey as a marker. However, they opened the roads again about 50 minutes or so into the race so on the way back so slow people like us were funnelled into the cycle lane (with cars charging past) or onto the pavement. Not fun. Date of review: November 29, 2006

In short: Good mostly flat course for a fast time, did my fastest for this year. As per other comments could do with water-station half way round. Scenery not interesting out of the town, but is nice round the Abbey.Date of review: November 29, 2006

In short: Very Poor OrganisationIn full: I am just saying what alot of other people have been saying but I want to say it anyway. They start the race on the smallest street around. Why can't they start it one along as it is a road that doesn't really go anywhere because it leads to the park square one way system. That would avoid the problems of milling around wellington street. Or even in the entrance to the crowne plaza complex, that is very big and could easily cater for the number of people.

Water would be nice but that doesn't bother me although I didn't see a single distance marker.

The finish line could be made much wider, the headrow is a large road and the pavement there is massive. I ran into someone at the finish because it had become so congested.

Finally the queuing for tshirts was ridiculous, there was no attempt to stop non runners getting in there so it just became really congested, why not have a couple of lines of fencing so people can be shepherded through chip drop off and tshirt collection and then if they want to loiter they can do it outside the museum.

I spent most of the race trying to get past people but I do think it's impressive to close the kirkstall road.

All in I would do it again but I think a bit of common sense needs to be applied and they should give consideration to the ideas that people on places such as this forum contribute.

In short: DisappointingIn full: I was disappointed by this race. It was very dull and felt much longer than 10K! The start was very disorganised and it was impossible to see where you should start for your predicted race time. As usual with most of these races, there was a distinct lack of adequate toilet facilities. A small row of portable loos for 4,000 people just isn't sufficient! There was a huge queue for the toilets and I, like may others was still in the loo when the race started! I would have expected a water station at the half way point in Kirkstall Abbey. Also rather annoying that they ran out of size small t-shirts. Despite the fact this is supposed to be a PB course, I did 5 minutes slower than my 10K PB (which was a cross-country hilly run!). I think the fact it felt so long and dull contributed to my lack of enthusiasm on the day. Would think twice before doing it again. Date of review: November 29, 2006